Takahiro Sasaki
Principal Research Fellow
Takahiro Sasaki is Rear Admiral (retired) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Visiting Professor at Hiroshima University's Faculty of Law, Visiting Professor at Tokai University's Institute for Peace, Strategic and International Studies, Visiting Researcher at Meiji University's Cybersecurity Institute, Part-time Lecturer at Heisei International University's Faculty of Law, Researcher at the Security Forum Research Group, Researcher at Japan Institute for Security Strategies, Director of the Cyber Defense Innovation Organization, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Japan-US-Taiwan Relations, Chief Researcher at Fujitsu Defense & National Security Ltd.'s National Security Research Institute, Special Researcher at Fujitsu Future Studies Center Ltd., Ph.D. (Hiroshima University).
After graduating from the National Defense Academy of Japan (Electrical Engineering) in 1986, he joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. He subsequently served as a liaison officer for the U.S. Navy's Third Fleet Command, a student at the Australian Naval Staff College, Commanding Officer of the destroyer "JS Yubetsu", defense attaché at the Embassy of Japan in Russia, section chief of the Analysis Department of the Ministry of Defense Intelligence Headquarters, a student at the UK Defence Intelligence School, Commander of the 8th Escort Division, cyber planning and coordinator at the Joint Staff Office, chief of the Hiroshima Provincial Cooperation Office of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, commander of the C4I Systems Center, and Commander of the Shimonoseki Sub Area Activity of Sasebo Regional District, before retiring from the Ministry of Defense in 2018 (at the rank of Rear Admiral).
Based on his experience working on the frontlines of diplomacy and security as a defense attaché in Russia, and his work as the first cyber planning and coordinator at the Joint Staff Office, where he was involved in formulating the Ministry of Defense's cyber attack response guidelines and establishing the Cyber Defense Unit, he specializes in international politics and international relations, with a focus on Russian military and security, as well as information theory, focusing on information warfare, cybersecurity, and intelligence issues. Drawing on this background, his research emphasizes the integration of fieldwork and academic perspectives.
He has also appeared on TV's. He has provided commentary on Russia's military and security, information warfare and cyber warfare in media such as NHK's "Catch! World Top News,'' TBS's "Hiruobi,'' TV Asahi's "Hodo Station,'' BS-TBS's "Hodo 1930,'' BS-Fuji's "Prime News,'' BS-NTV's "Shinso News,'' and NHK-BS1's "BS Special.''
